Cardi B – Up

GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum selling, Atlantic recording artist Cardi B has announced today’s release of her eagerly awaited new single. “Up,” produced by DJ SwanQo & Young Dza, is available now at all DSPs and streaming services HERE following its exclusive iHeartRadio premiere earlier today; an official companion video – directed by Tanu Munio – is streaming now following its premiere via YouTube.

Written by Belcalis Almánzar, Jordan Thorpe, James D. Steed, Darinke Radovic, Matthew “Sean Island” Allen, Joshua Baker Published by Washpoppin Inc/Sony ATV (ASCAP); St. Luke’s Publishing

Foo Fighters – Medicine At Midnight

The rock doctors will see you now: Foo Fighters have finally unleashed all nine doses of their much heralded new album, MEDICINE AT MIDNIGHT (Roswell Records/RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment Australia).

MEDICINE AT MIDNIGHT’s release ends the wait that was first kicked into high gear last year with the Mainstream Rock/Rock Airplay #1 ‘Shame Shame’ and bludgeoning “final f*ck you to 2020” (UPROXX) ‘No Son of Mine’ and more recently the epic ballad to cathartic scream of ‘Waiting on a War’. While anticipation has built exponentially with each new track, early critical notices have been amongst the most enthusiastic of the band’s 26 years in the game, including:

MEDICINE AT MIDNIGHT is produced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, engineered by Darrell Thorp and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent.

Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee.

Robert Durante – Leaving My Hometown

I’m an independent songwriter from Melbourne – Australia, composing songs since my early childhood. I travelled a lot in my life even moving between continents. I arrived in Australia 11 years ago coming from Italy. My influences in music are The Beatles, Rolling Stones, CCR and Kinks. Leaving My Hometown, my fifth single, is a rock song with hermetical lyrics. There are images of me reflecting on a mirror, lapses of life fragments, like flashes, with obsessive thoughts about leaving, but with no particular reason for that except for the lack of love and the need of a change. It’s like jumping from one memory to another, in different times, as I kept leaving each place with the same uncontrollable impulse to open other doors and hold other hands, like an infinite loop and no satisfaction or happiness for that.

Leaving My Hometown was awarded a “commended entry” position at the 2020 UK Songwriting Contest.

CLOVES – Sicko

Australian artist CLOVES (aka Kaity Dunstan) unveils her brand-new single entitled “Sicko” along with the music video. “Sicko” was co-written and co-produced by Hudson Mohawke and is the second single to be released off of her upcoming sophomore album due out later this year. The music video, directed by Daniel Carberry & Carley Cussen, features an incredible performance by Kaity as she battles between two different versions of herself. The track is available now at all digital retail providers via Interscope Records.

CLOVES says about the song, “‘Sicko’ is my best way of painting the tunnel vision, panic scramble of social anxiety. It’s like a living, breathing second personality in your brain. One which makes you question everything you do and say in social situations, worried that others don’t like you for it. It’s exhausting, not only keeping you from enjoying the present but also fucks with your relationships”

CLOVES’s upcoming sophomore album explores the complexities of mental health, stemming from her own experiences, as they relate to anxiety, depression, and excessive overthinking. Through the album, Kaity creates an aesthetic that encapsulates the world within her own mind with each track on the album representing a different trigger point and stream of consciousness as to how a person can spiral within themselves. Recorded everywhere from Abbey Road to Elmfield Road, Kaity’s glitchy pop darkness, which she calls “dystopian, introverted sci-fi pop,” translates moods, textures and ideas into sound to make the listener resonate with the emotions she was feeling as she created the music for the album.

About CLOVES

Born Kaity Dunstan in Melbourne, music always provided solace for her. She spent all of her time writing songs and performing in bands. Relocating to London at 18-years-old, she introduced herself as CLOVES stating, “As a very introverted person creating somewhat of a persona for myself felt like the most free way to fully express myself without my tendency to over analyze myself kicking in, it felt safe.” The single “Don’t Forget About Me” clocked over 69.24 million Spotify streams as she graced the stages of Coachella, Lollapalooza, and beyond. Her first full-length album, One Big Nothing, followed in 2018. Kaity made her late-night television debut with a performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, while The Line of Best Fit called One Big Nothing, “an all-encompassing, fearless record that pushes a sincere melancholia to the forefront.” CLOVES has also landed syncs in Me Before You and Vampire Diaries and today, has garnered over 250 million streams worldwide.

Innocent Eve – Three Quarter Time

‘Three Quarter Time’ is a cry for help. It’s about wanting someone to relieve the loneliness and the aching for connection during a long, self-imposed solitude. It’s a feeling of disconnection from everyone and everything, feeling afraid to step outside into the world and just wishing someone would come by and make you feel better.

Country music duo Innocent Eve is set for the next chapter in their musical journey as they step into the irrefutably changed landscape of 2021. Made up of sisters Rachel and Bec Olsson, their debut 2015 release, the album ‘Temporary Balms’, reached critical acclaim and notable airtime across Australia, placing in the CMC Top 40. Since then, the pair have worked exclusively with award winning producer, Matt Fell from Love HZ Studios in Sydney and released an EP ‘True North’ in 2016, as well as two singles in 2020, ‘Mixed Bag’ and ‘Viking’.

This February 1, the girls see the release of their latest single ‘Three Quarter Time’ from the soon to be released album ‘Viking’. Written by Bec, the song is a reflective lament on some hard times experienced in recent years “I wrote this song during a lonely time in my life, after moving a long way from my family and friends. I suppose ‘Three Quarter Time’ is a cry for help”. With 2020 under our belts, it’s possible to imagine that many people will relate to the sentiments of the song and the sense of isolation it embodies. The lyric ‘Throw me a rope, shine me a light’, could in fact translate to many people’s experiences of the past year.

With a Chris Stapleton influence infusing the track, it is a departure from the style, theme and tone of the girls’ previous release, ‘Mixed Bag’, but promises to be one that can be enjoyed and related to by the girls fans.

Elsa Li Jones – Midnight Hour & Remix

The Queen of Gothenburg, the amazing multi-talented, Elsa Li Jones, returns to the global airwaves and streaming giants with her brand new, poignant song “Midnight Hour” written by Elsa with Petrus Wessman and Ulrika Ölund including a Future Club Dance remix, all out not via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and Deezer.

Drottningen av Köpenhamn, den otroligt begåvade, Elsa Li Jones, återvänder till de globala luft vågorna och strömmande jättarna med sin helt nya, gripande sång “Midnight Hour” (texter nedan), skriven av Elsa med Petrus Wessman och Ulrika Ölund inklusive en Future Club Dans remix, alla ount inte via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon och Deezer.

Elsa Li Jones – Midnight Hour (Original Mix) F-major-8B – 115 bpm Vocal Pop
Elsa Li Jones – Midnight Hour (Remix) F-major -7B – 120 bpm Future Club Dance

Eric Church – Heart On Fire

Speaking directly to fans in a video message delivered to the Church Choir, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church confirmed that new music is on the horizon: “I have three albums coming out in April. They came out of my 28 days in the mountains of North Carolina, where the songs were recorded and written. The collection is entitled Heart & Soul.” Watch the announcement here.

In keeping with his longtime commitment to put fans first, Church created the middle album, &, specifically for the Church Choir and will make it available exclusively to those fans and only as a vinyl record on Tuesday, April 20. The other two albums, Heart and Soul, will be available everywhere on Friday, April 16 and Friday, April 23, respectively. ‘Heart’ is available for pre-order here, ‘Soul’ can be pre-ordered here. ‘Heart On Fire’ is the opening track on ‘Heart’ and latest single to be released from the project.

Along with prioritizing his fans, just as important to Church is the constant desire to push the limits of his artistry, an effort that was on full display during the month-long creative process that went into the creation of this collection.

“I’ve always been intrigued when a song is born in a writer room – there is a magic that happens there,” shares Church of the unique process that went into making this project. “I wanted to put that in the studio form. So, every day, we would write a song in the morning and we would record the song that night. Doing it that way allowed for the songwriters to get involved in the studio process and the musicians to be involved in the creative process. You felt a little bit like you were secretly doing something that was special, and you knew it… You started going, ‘hmm, wait ’til the world finds out about this.'”

The final result of that inclusive process is a three-part, 24-song collection from the man Stereogum praises as “the most consistently interesting star in the Nashville ecosystem” which features an elite list of songwriters who joined the secluded marathon writing and recording sessions. Part of the recording process for the project anchored solely by Church, with no features, were his longtime producer Jay Joyce and backing vocalist Joanna Cotten, as well as his touring band who played alongside some of Nashville’s most talented studio musicians on the album (full musician credits listed below).

“The interesting thing about this process is that Jay kept asking me the last three or four days, ‘Are we done?’ and at that time I didn’t know what the project was,” notes Church. “I kept saying ‘God, this is going to be really hard. There’s a lot here. Is this a double album? And if it’s a double album, how do we leave out these five or six songs?’ I am the hardest critic on making sure every song deserves to be on the record, and I beat this thing to death going ‘this can’t be that good.’ But, it was just a special, special time and a special, special project that I think will be among our best.”

Concluding his video message to fans, Church reflected, “It’s been a long 10 months. With the power of music and love for each other, we will get through this, we will gather again soon. I cannot wait to play this music for you live.”

That belief in the unifying power of music will be on display again in the coming weeks, as Church takes to the field at Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, February 7 to perform the National Anthem with R&B star Jazmine Sullivan ahead of Super Bowl LV.

Not Just Charlie – Get Around

Written on the back deck of a housetruck on a broken ukulele and recorded during Victoria’s 7-month lockdown, Get Around is a lament that yearns for the open road, at the same time as trying to make peace with staying at home.

Featuring The Waifs’ Ben Franz, Dave Mann, Melanie Robinson (Tim Rogers/You Am I), Tim Bennett, Mal Webb and a bunch of other incredible Australian talent, Not Just Charlie is a new adult contemporary folk-roots project from Formidable Vegetable’s Charlie Mgee (who’s organic family-funk tunes have recently racked up high rotation on global radio behemoth SiriusXM) diving into what it means to be human in a time of unprecedented uncertainty, isolation and disconnection from community and country.

JERKSTORE. – Eyes Closed (ft. r.em.edy)

After receiving national radio play on triple j unearthed with their last single in December of 2020, the Jerks return for the first release of the new year. Eyes Closed ft. r.em.edy is a swooning, pop rap tune capturing elements of disco and modern hiphop, showing off the groups range playing across genres alongside an impressive, powerful hook from guest vocalist r.em.edy.

With JERKSTORE releasing a number of singles throughout 2021, an EP due in April and a debut album in August, the team is expected to have a strong year.

Lainey Wilson – Things A Man Oughta Know

Buzzed-about newcomer and “one of Country music’s most promising young stars,” (Whiskey Riff), Lainey Wilson today announces her hotly-anticipated studio album, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ is set to release February 19 via BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records. Those who pre-order the album will immediately have access to the brand-new track and album opener, “Neon Diamonds” (a song which a prominent tv booker said he hadn’t “heard a more perfect ‘grab-you-in’ start to an album since Thriller”). LISTEN HERE.

A prolific songwriter, Wilson co-wrote every song on the album, generously and courageously sharing her thoughts, stories, feelings and heart with the world. The lyrics, rooted in messages of honesty, thoughtfulness and authenticity showcase the Louisiana native’s awe-inspiring self-awareness, empowering others with her strength through vulnerability. As producer, GRAMMY® Award-winning mastermind, Jay Joyce, brought Lainey’s signature “Bell Bottom Country” sound to life, which blends traditional Country with a funky, yet modern flare. The Boot also notes her sound as “a cross between easy listening and hard truths.”

“I am proud of every piece of this record and all the people that have helped bring it to fruition,” said Lainey Wilson. “Finally being able to share this body of work is the most fulfilling and rewarding moment of my life thus far.”

Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ includes her current radio single, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” which has garnered more than 35 million streams, earning a place on Spotify’s Nashville’s Worldwide Hot 50 and has been in the Top 5 consumption per spin and streams per spin for the past 17 consecutive weeks. A fan and critic favorite, the song was featured in NPR’s Best Music of 2019 saying it, “proves [Wilson] capable of blending a thoroughly countrified vocal approach with digitally sharpened contemporary production, thanks to the suppleness and body of her honeyed, crystalline twang.”

Already having music featured in the hit series Yellowstone three times, the rockstar performer has earned a host of recognition as a rising star-being named to a slew of “ones to watch” lists (Pandora, The Boot, Sounds Like Nashville, etc.) including MusicRow’s “Next Big Thing 2021,” being a part of CMT’s Next Women of Country and CMT’s Listen Up programs and being featured in publications like Forbes, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Billboard and NPR.

The “vocalist of unmatched talent, humbled by her characteristic humor and wit,” (American Songwriter) will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday, February 20 as part of her week-long celebrations for the album’s launch. Additional launch plans will be announced in the coming weeks.

ABOUT LAINEY WILSON:

“One of Country music’s most promising young stars,” (Whiskey Riff) Lainey Wilson is the total package. Earning the enthusiasm of the industry, named as an “Artist to Watch” by MusicRow, Pandora, The Boot , and Sounds Like Nashville (to name a few) and included in CMT’s “Next Women of Country” and “Listen Up” programs, the Louisiana native is one of Nashville’ most buzzed-about new artists, garnering early praise for her “unabashedly down-home and unflappably worldly” (NPR) style and exhibiting “just enough scars and pragmatism to write great, universal country songs” (Taste of Country). Set to release her first album as a signed artist this February, her music has already been featured in the hit drama series Yellowstone three times, graced the Grand Ole Opry stage and was covered in publications like Forbes, Rolling Stone, New York Times, Billboard and NPR. With a rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Justin Moore, Tyler Farr, Ashley McBryde, Randy Houser, Josh Turner, Morgan Wallen, and more.

The “vocalist of unmatched talent, humbled by her characteristic humor and wit,” (American Songwriter) left her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams and has been carving her own unique place in the country music landscape ever since. Creating a sound and style all her own with “Bell Bottom Country,” which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare, Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville. A prolific writer (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs), Lainey shares her feelings, stories, experiences and understandings through her music. Described as “a cross between easy listening and hard truths” by The Boot, Lainey’s music (and character) is largely driven by her values and self-conviction. Her new album, produced by GRAMMY Award-winning mastermind Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Miranda Lambert), Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin,’ is set to be released February 19 via BBR Music Group/ Broken Bow Records. Following the sentiment of the title track, the entire album is rooted in authenticity, honesty and thoughtfulness-representative of Lainey’s own character. The album includes her current radio single and “song every country fan needs to hear” (Taste of Country), “Things A Man Oughta Know.” With more than 35 million streams, the song is a fan and critic favorite, spurring a flurry of activity across social media as well as included in “must listen” lists in publications like NPR and Rolling Stone.